Falken Tires Becomes Official Tire Of Major League Baseball

Leading Ultra High Performance Tire Brand Reaches First Partnership with Pro Sports League

RANCHO CUCAMONGA, CA -- Sept. 28, 2015: Falken Tires and Major League Baseball (MLB) announced today a multi-year integrated marketing agreement, designating Falken Tires as the Official Tire of Major League Baseball. The new partnership represents a strategic expansion of Falken's sports sponsorship program, marking the company's first deal with a professional sports league after enjoying significant success in motorsports marketing for 30 years.

Beginning in the 2016 MLB season, Falken and MLB will join forces for multiple promotional opportunities including virtual signage behind home plate and branded in-game enhancements for nationally broadcasted games, including the All-Star Game, Postseason, and the World Series. Falken Tires will also participate in fan giveaways, in-game promotions and have access to MLB marks and logos for broadcast, print and digital use during these events. In addition, Falken Tires will have global marketing rights for the 2015 MLB Postseason.

"We look forward to collaborating with Major League Baseball as we expand our brand awareness and sports marketing portfolio," said Richard Smallwood, president & CEO of Falken Tires. "Pairing with one of the most popular sports in the world is a great opportunity for Falken Tires to grow and expand into new markets."

"We look forward to working with Falken Tires to reach Major League Baseball's fan base as the company expands its marketing and promotional activity beyond motorsports for the first time," said Noah Garden, MLB Executive Vice President, Business. "We are pleased to welcome Falken Tires to the MLB family and proud to have been chosen to help the brand grow its business."

The agreement is part of a larger expansion of Falken Tires marketing efforts across the U.S. as Falken Tires looks to heighten brand awareness and aggressively increase their market share.

"Falken Tires has long enjoyed a devoted international fan base in motorsports," said Smallwood. "This brand alliance with Major League Baseball will help introduce Falken Tires to millions of new customers. We're excited about our new partnership and look forward to aligning our fan bases as we introduce innovative products and our brand to additional audiences."

Falken Tires, the official tire of Major League Baseball, is a global, full-line tire manufacturer with a long history of delivering high quality, high value products for cars and trucks. Falken Tires Corporation, the company's North American arm, is headquartered in Rancho Cucamonga, California, and serves as the West Coast distribution center. The company currently manufactures and markets 14 car and light-truck tire models under seven lines in nine categories and 300 sizes. The company also makes and sells a full lineup of medium truck (OTR) tires for commercial use. Additional distribution locations can be found in Illinois, New Jersey, Texas and Florida. Founded in 1983, Falken Tires is a subsidiary of the 105-year old Sumitomo Rubber Industries in Japan.